Pluto Surface Observations 3: NH Post-Encounter Phase, 1 Feb 2016- TBD |
Pluto Surface Observations 3: NH Post-Encounter Phase, 1 Feb 2016- TBD |
Jan 30 2016, 07:21 AM
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
This topic is for all New Horizons Pluto surface observations received after 1 Feb 2016.
-------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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Feb 19 2016, 05:21 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1887 Joined: 20-November 04 From: Iowa Member No.: 110 |
Pluto’s ‘Hulk-like’ Moon Charon: A Possible Ancient Ocean?
QUOTE Charon’s tectonic landscape shows that, somehow, the moon expanded in its past, and – like Bruce Banner tearing his shirt as he becomes the Incredible Hulk – Charon’s surface fractured as it stretched.
The outer layer of Charon is primarily water ice. This layer was kept warm when Charon was young by heat provided by the decay of radioactive elements, as well as Charon’s own internal heat of formation. Scientists say Charon could have been warm enough to cause the water ice to melt deep down, creating a subsurface ocean. But as Charon cooled over time, this ocean would have frozen and expanded (as happens when water freezes), lifting the outermost layers of the moon and producing the massive chasms we see today. |
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 7th June 2024 - 04:59 AM |
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